Vacuum cleaner switch retainer

Abstract

An improvement for an electrically powered appliance having a pushbutton "ON-OFF" switch. A cam mechanism is manually operable by a user of the appliance to move the switch from its biased "OFF" position to its unbiased "ON" position. The mechanism holds the switch in its "ON" position when manual force is removed.

I claim as my invention: 
     
       1. In an electrically powered appliance having a multiple position pushbutton switch controlling application of power to the appliance, the switch being biased to a first or "OFF" position whereby a user can maintain the switch in a second or "ON" position only by constant application of physical force, an improvement comprising cam means including a rotary cam acting on an outer face of the switch; rotating means including a shaft connected to the cam; a carrier offset from the pushbutton switch for supporting the shaft and having an outer portion, the carrier having a slot in the outer portion thereof; manually operable means for turning the shaft and the cam; and, the shaft having a pin extending through the slot for limiting the turning of the shaft, whereby the switch is movable from its first to its second position by the application of physical force and held in its second position after removal of such force thereby reducing user fatigue while using the appliance. 
     
     
       2. In an electrically powered appliance having a pushbutton switch biased to one position whereby a user can maintain the switch in a second non-biased position only by constant application of physical force, an improvement comprising a rotary cam acting directly on an outer face of the switch; a shaft connected to the cam; a carrier offset from the switch for supporting the shaft; and, digitally engageable, direct access turning means on the cam side of the carrier, integrally formed with the cam for turning the shaft and the cam whereby the pushbutton switch can be moved from its first to its second position by the cam and held in its second position by the cam without a constant application of physical force. 
     
     
       3. The improvements of claim 2 further including means between the carrier and the shaft for limiting turning of the shaft. 
     
     
       4. The improvements of claim 3 wherein the carrier has a slot in an outer portion thereof and the limiting means includes a pin extending from the shaft through the slot for limiting turning of the shaft.